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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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5 Reasons Your Period Is Lighter Than Usual

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Dr. Vinod RainaSexologist • 23 Years Exp.MD - General Medicine
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Getting your period isn't exactly the most desirable biological process of life. But a lighter than normal period, can throw you off and make you start worrying about all the possible things that can be wrong with you. Even though every girl has her individual menstrual cycle, an average cycle should have a duration anywhere between three to seven days.

But when you don't expel the average amount of fluid (30 to 80 ml) and your cycle lasts only two days, it's a general indication of a problem. If your period lasts for two days you should consult a gynaecologist and buy preventive health check-up online. There are actually a few common reasons your period is light.

Here are five discussed below:

1. Hormone Imbalance 
Estrogen and progesterone are the hormone duo that are largely the reason for orchestration of the menstrual cycle. The dip and rise in these two hormones can make your cycle a rollercoaster ride. When your hormones are unstable, your menstrual gets altered.

For instance, estrogen is in charge of the uterus lining. So, if your hormone levels are lower your uterus lining may not thicken enough for you to have a normal full period cycle. Also, having a high level of testosterone can also lead to a scanty period.

2. Birth control 
When people are on hormonal birth control, a side effect you might suffer from is a lighter period or even goes away. This is actually a commonly discussed "perk" of long-acting reversible contraception option, like the IUD or implant. The reason for this is often attributed to endometrial atrophy, which is when your uterine lining gets thinner gradually.

3. Stress 

Stress is a major risk factor to many reproductive health issues. If you are stressed, your body releases two hormones, cortisol and adrenal. Both these chemicals upset the stability of other hormones, even the ones responsible for the reproductive system.

Cortisol impacts the production of both estrogen and progesterone your body produces. So, if you are stressed and your body is flooded with cortisol, you might experience light period, late or no period.

4. Underweight 
Your body requires needs a specific amount of fat to be able to menstruate normally. This makes total sense in an evolutionary viewpoint, since your body should be the focus on its own health first. A low body weight can cause your menstrual cycle to diminish or even pause for some time. Light periods are also a result of an extreme weight loss, or eating disorders.

5. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 
Another common reason why your period might be scanty is PCOS. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome for the endocrine system that causes hormone to get imbalanced. If you have this syndrome, you may be prone to small cysts forming on your ovaries which can cause the instability of hormones leading to excess hair, obesity, acne, and scanty periods. In addition to scanty periods you might even experience other symptoms, which you have to ask your doctor for ovarian cysts.

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